Growth and yield response of upland rice to nitrogen levels and weed control methods

Int. J. Agron. Agri. R.

International Journal of Agronomy and Agricultural Research (IJAAR) ISSN: 2223-7054 (Print) 2225-3610 (Online) http://www.innspub.net Vol. 11, No. 6, p. 92-101, 2017 OPEN ACCESS

RESEARCH PAPER

Growth and yield response of upland rice to nitrogen levels and weed control methods J. A. Adigun1, E. Kolo1, O. R. Adeyemi1, O. S. Daramola1, A. A. Badmus1, O. A. Osipitan*2 1

Department of Plant Physiology and Crop Production, Federal University of Agriculture,

Abeokuta, Nigeria 2

Northeast Research and Extension Center, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, USA Article published on December 30, 2017

Key words: Rice, Nitrogen, Pre-emergence herbicide, Weeds, Butachlor, Propanil

Abstract Field trials were conducted to evaluate the effect of nitrogen levels and weed control methods on growth and yield of rice at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (07 o15’N, 03o25’E) in the forest-savannah transition zone of South west Nigeria during the rainy seasons of 2014 and 2015. Three nitrogen levels (0, 60 and 90)kg ha-1 constituted the main plot treatments. The sub-plot treatments were seven weed control methods: Propanil +2, 4-D (Orizoplus) at 2.0kg a.i. ha-1; Orizoplus at 2.0kg a.i. ha -1 followed by supplementary hoe-weeding (fb SHW) at 6 weeks after sowing (WAS); Butachlor (Buster) at 1.0kg a.i. ha -1; Buster at 1.0kg a.i. ha-1 fb SHW at 6 WAS; two hoe-weedings at 3 and 6 WAS; three hoe-weedings at 3, 6 and 9 WAS (season-long weed control); and weedy check. Nitrogen level had no significant effect on weed growth. Rice growth and grain yield increased with increase in nitrogen level from 0 to 90kg ha -1. All weed control methods significantly reduced weeds with subsequent improved rice growth and yield compared with weedy-check. Pre-emergence application of Orizoplus at 2.0 or Buster at 1.0kg a.i. ha -1 fb SHW at 6 WAS provided weed control, and rice growth and yield similar to season-long weed control. Practical applications of this study are that increased nitrogen level and early weed control with a pre-emergence herbicide followed by supplementary weed removal at 6 WAS could help to improve growth and yield of upland rice. * Corresponding

Adigun et al.

Author: O.A. Osipitan  waleos@unl.edu

Page 92

Int. J. Agron. Agri. R. Introduction

for two third of the gap between actual and potential

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is considered the most

rice yields. Nitrogen is the main nutrient associated

important staple food in the world as it supplies the

with crop yield (Bouman et al., 2007) and the most

major food requirement for more than half of the

limiting nutrient in tropical crop. Nitrogen, often

world’s population. It is the predominant staple food

taken up in large amount by plants, plays an

in at least 33 developing countries including Guinea,

important role in chlorophyll, protein, nucleic acid,

Guinea- Bissau, Gambia, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal

hormone and vitamin synthesis as well as helps in cell

and Cote d’voire where it provides about 27% of

division and cell elongation. It affects overall weed

dietary energy supply, 20% dietary protein and 3% of

abundance and influences the competitive balance

dietary fat. Rice contributes nutritionally significant

between crops and weeds (Good et al., 2004).

amount of thiamine, riboflavin, niacin and zinc to the diet (Food and Agriculture Organization [FAO], 2001).

Weed infestation on the other hand also poses a

The total world production of paddy rice (paddy) is

recurrent and ubiquitous threat to rice production

around 592 million tonnes. Ninety percent of this total is

causing between 48 and 100% yield losses in direct

grown in developing countries, mostly in Asia, while

seeded upland rice (Rodenburg and Johnson, 2009).

Latin America and Africa produce 3.8 and 2.8 percent,

In Sub-Sahara Africa, weed may account for annual

respectively (FAO, 2001). In Nigeria, rice has become an

rice yield loses of at least 2.2 million tonnes equating

increasingly important staple in the diet of about 170

to 1.45 billion US dollars (Rodenburg and Johnson,

million people as a result of increasing urbanization

2009). This is because rice is a weak competitor

(FAO, 2004). Rice is widely cultivated in most agro-

against weeds, with direct seeding; the germination of

ecological zones of Nigeria. The country is the largest

rice seeds and the emergence of weeds take place

producer of the crop in West Africa, where it occupies 1.7

almost at the same time. Therefore, weed control at

million hectares with a production of 3.2 million tonnes

the early stages of the crop growth is important.

of paddy (FAO, 1996).

Improved weed control has been estimated to raise rice yield by 15-23% (Rodenburg and Johnson, 2009).

Inspite of its great popularity, acceptability and high

However, majority of Nigeria farmers have few

economic importance as the most important staple

options and resources available for effective weed

food crop in the world, the productivity of rice is

control. Traditional manual weeding which is the

constrained by a number of factors. These include low

most popular method of weed control is time

soil nitrogen status (Padhan et al., 2016), the use of

consuming, labor-intensive and generally expensive.

low yielding local varieties (Kumar et al., 2014) pest

Rice being a closely sown crop also makes mechanical

and diseases (Gupta et al., 2014), poor knowledge of

weeding difficult and some degree of crop damage is

agronomic practices and weed management problems

unavoidably involved in frequent manual weeding.

(Adigun et al., 2005). Of all the factors limiting the production of rice in Nigeria, low soil nitrogen status

In addition, hand weeding allows weeds with similar

and weed management problems appear to be the

morphological characteristics to rice to escape

most deleterious causing between 75 and 100%

detection and hence removal in direct-seeded rice

reduction in potential paddy rice yield (Akobundu,

fields. Besides, labour availability is uncertain during

1987; Imeokparia and Okunsanya, 1997) reports

peak and critical periods of crop-weed competition

indicated that only an average of 1.5 tons per hectare

and sometimes unfavorable weather condition at

is realized in the country. This is far below the

weeding times make timeliness of weeding difficult to

potential yield compared with 6.5 tons/ha in Egypt

attain, leading to greater yield losses (Adigun et al.,

and 7.0 tons

ha-1

in Japan (FAO, 1996). According to

2014). Herbicide use, on the other has been

(Alagesan and Raja Babu, 2011), insufficient and

consistently reported not to give a season long weed

inappropriate nitrogen fertilizer application accounts

control (Adigun et al., 2005; Adigun et al. 2016)

Adigun et al.

Page 93

Int. J. Agron. Agri. R. although

labour

Herbicides treatments were applied pre-emergence,

requirement and its attendant costs.Consequently, an

it

is

efficient

and

reduces

one day after sowing of rice with knapsack sprayer

improved weed management system that integrates

(CP 15) in a spraying volume of about 250 l ha-1 using

two or more control methods within the context of

a green deflector nozzle at a pressure of 2.1kg cm-2.

integrated weed management is needed for adequate weed control and sustainable upland rice production

Data collection and analysis

in Nigeria. Appropriate nitrogen fertilizer level that

Weed cover score, weed density, weed dry matter

will increase the competitive ability of the crop

production, crop vigour score, plant height, number

against weeds combined with reduced dosage of

of tillers, leaf area, panicle length, panicle weight,

herbicide spray and hoe-weeding may be a viable

number of grain per panicle, 1000 grain weight and

option to control weed and attain optimum upland

grain yield were used to evaluate the performance of

rice yield. Such information is required to boost local

various treatments. A periodic observation of various

production of rice and reduce foreign exchange spent

parameters were taken from five tagged plants at net

on importation of the product. Hence, the objective of

plot at various stages of crop growth and were

this study was to investigate the effect of nitrogen

subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using

levels and weed control methods on the growth and

GENSTAT (VSN International, Hemel Hempstead,

yield as productivity of upland, rain-fed rice.

UK) discovery package to determine the level of significance of the treatments. Treatment means were separated using the least significant difference (LSD

Materials and methods

at P ≤ 0.05) where F-value was significant.

Experimental site and treatments Field trials were conducted at the Teaching and Research

Farm

of

the

Federal

University

of

Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria (07o15’N, 03o25’E) in the Forest-Savanna transition zone of South west Nigeria during 2014 and 2015 rainy seasons. The experimental field was disc-ploughed and harrowed at two weeks interval, and later pulverized and leveled manually before marking into various plots. Gross and net plot sizes were (4.5 x 3.0)m2 and (3.0 x 3.0)m2, respectively. Three nitrogen levels (0, 60 and 90)kg ha-1 constituted the main plot treatments. The sub-plot

treatments

were

seven

weed

control

methods: Propanil +2, 4-D (Orizoplus) at 2.0kg a.i. ha-1; Orizoplus at 2.0kg a.i. ha-1 followed by supplementary hoe-weeding (fb SHW) at 6 weeks after sowing (WAS); Butachlor (Buster) at 1.0kg a.i. ha-1; Buster at 1.0kg a.i. ha-1 fb SHW at 6 WAS; two hoe-weedings at 3 and 6 WAS; three hoe-weedings at 3, 6 and 9 WAS (season-long weed control); and weedy check. All treatments in different combinations were arranged in a split-plot design with three replications. Rice seed (variety - NERICA 8) was sown manually by drilling method at inter-row spacing of 75cm in both years. Nitrogen fertilizer treatments were applied by basal method at sowing of rice.

Adigun et al.

Results and discussion The soil types at the experimental sites in 2014 and 2015 were sandy loam with high proportion of sand (88.0 and 84.0% respectively), 6.6 and 6.8% silt, 5.4 and 8.8% clay in 2014 and 2015 respectively (Table 1).

Soil pH of the experimental site in 2014 was near neutral (6.7) whereas that of 2015 was slightly alkaline with pH of 7.9. The soil in the experimental site in 2015 was richer in percentage nitrogen (0.5%) than that of 2014 (0.1%).

Table 1. Physicochemical properties of the soil of experimental sites at Abeokuta in 2014 and 2015.

Soil Properties pH Sand (%) Clay (%) Silt (%) Organic carbon Total N Available P Total K Exchangeable bases Ca Mg Na K

2014 6.7 88.0 5.4 6.6 1.2 0.1 11.5 0.49 g kg-1 89.0 10.8 6.1 2.1

2015 7.9 84.0 8.8 6.8 4.8 0.5 9.9 0.48 g kg-1 20.4 5.0 3.5 1.4

Page 94

Int. J. Agron. Agri. R. Total amounts of rainfall during the period of crop

2014 than in 2015. More than half (324.2mm) of the

growth were 521.9 and 584.1mm in 2014 and 2015,

total amount of rainfall occurred after the critical period

respectively (Table 2). There was higher total amount of

(September-October) in 2015.

rainfall during the period of crop growth in 2015 than in 2014. However, the total amount of rainfall was higher

Whereas the rainfall was more evenly distributed

during the critical period of crop growth (July-August) in

throughout the period of crop growth in 2014 (Table 2).

Table 2. Rainfall, temperature and relative humidity during the experimental period in 2014 and 2015 at Abeokuta, Nigeria.

Month

Total Rainfall (mm) Relative Humidity (%) Temperature (0C) 2014 2015 2014 2015 2014 2015 June 53.7 164.9 71.0 70.8 27.2 26.8 July 202.6 65.6 76.2 73.0 25.6 27.2 August 35.2 29.4 71.7 70.3 24.3 26.2 September 136.0 165.1 69.7 71.9 25.6 26.3 October 94.4 159.1 67.2 69.2 27.0 26.3 Total 521.9 584.1 Source: Department of Agro-Meteorology and Water Resources Management, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun state, Nigeria.

Effect of nitrogen level and weed control methods on

grasses, broad-leaved and sedges weeds in direct

weed growth in rice in 2014 and 2015

seeded rice under conditions of sandy loam soils at

Table 3 shows the different categories of weed

Kumarganj. Similarly, Satorre and Snaydon (1992)

infestation and their levels of occurrence at the

corroborated this finding by stating that no special

experimental sites which include broad leaf weeds,

effects of varying nitrogen levels were observed on

grasses and sedges. The fields on which the trials were

weed population under observation. The trend also

sited were heavily infested with weeds as indicated by

indicated that interaction between nitrogen levels and

cumulative weed dry matter production of 3734 and

weed control methods on all the weed growth

3948kg

ha-1

obtained from the weedy check in 2014 and

parameters were not significant throughout the period

2015 wet seasons, respectively (Table 4). The higher

of observation in both years. Gonzalez (1998) earlier

weed infestation observed in 2015 than in 2014 could be

observed that interaction between applied nitrogen and

attributed to the higher rainfall in the former than in the

weed control methods were not significant.

later (Table 2). These results are in agreement with the findings of (Shahidul et al., 2011) that higher rainfall

All

favours weed species abundance, prevalence, spread and

reduction in weed growth compared to the weedy

their

crop

check throughout the period of observation (Table 4).

communities. Baskin and Baskin (2001) also observed

These results corroborates those of Adigun et al.

that weed seed germination and growth were influenced

(2005) and Ahmed et al. (2005) who reported that

competitiveness

within

weed

and

directly or indirectly by environmental factors such as temperature, moisture and light.

weed

control

methods

caused

significant

the maximum weed dry matter production was produced in weedy check which was significantly higher than all weed control methods. Among the

Application of nitrogen did not have significant effect on weed cover score, weed density and cumulative weed dry matter production throughout the period of

various weed control treatments, the use of Orizoplus caused significant reduction in weed growth similar to that of hoe-weeding both of which resulted in significantly lower weed growth compared to the use

observation in both years of the study (Table 4).

of Buster in both years of experimentation. At 9 WAS

Sharma et al. (2007) also observed that nitrogen

in both years, Orizoplus at 2.0kg a.i. ha-1 and Buster

levels of 40, 80 and 120kg

had no significant

at 1.0kg a.i. ha-1 each supplemented by hoe-weeding

effect on weed density and percentage composition of

at 6 WAS resulted in significantly lower weed cover

Adigun et al.

ha-1

Page 95

Int. J. Agron. Agri. R. score and weed density compared to either herbicide

This confirms the earlier report by (Akobundu, 1987)

applied alone. Similarly, pre-emergence application of

that most pre-emergence herbicide treatments gave

Orizoplus at 2.0kg a.i.

ha-1

ha-1

early weed control of emerging weed seedlings but

each supplemented by hoe-weeding at 6 WAS caused

and Buster at 1.0kg a.i.

lost efficacy early thereby allowing late emerging

significant reduction in cumulative weed dry matter

weeds to re-infest plots.

production similar to 2 and 3 hoe-weedings in both

The need for supplementary hoe-weeding of pre-

years. This implies that pre-emergence herbicides require

supplementary

hoe-weeding

to

emergence herbicide application for season long weed

provide

control in various crop production systems have

season long weed control in rice particularly

earlier been emphasized (Adigun et al., 2016; Ismaila

considering the fact that rice is a long duration crop.

et al., 2011; Osipitan et al., 2013).

Table 3. Common weed species found on the experimental sites at Abeokuta in 2014 and 2015.

Weed species Broad Leaves Abutilion maritamim (Jacq.)

Chochorus olitorus (L.) Euphobia heterophylla (Linn.)

Gomphrena celozoides (mart.)

Talinum triangulare (Jacq.) Wild.

Tridax procumbens (Linn.)

Amaranthus spinosus (L.) Boerhavia coccinea Mill Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl.) A. Gray Senna hirsuta (Linn) Irwin Acanthospermum hispidium DC Grasses Andopogon gayanus (Kunth var.)

Commelina bengalensis (L.) Cynodon dactylion (Linn.)

Imperata cylindrica (Linn.)

Panicum maximum (Jacq.)

Sedges Cyperus rotundus (Linn) Kylinga squaminata (Thonn) Mariscus alternifolius (Vahl)

2014

2015

+ ++ +++ ++ ++ +++ ++ ++ + ++ ++

++ ++ ++ +++ ++ ++ ++ ++ + ++ ++

+++ ++ + ++ ++

+ ++ +

+ +++ +

+ +

+++ = High infestation (60-90% occurrence) ++ = Moderate infestation (30-59% occurrence) + = Low infestation (1-29% occurrence) - = No infestation Table 4. Effect of nitrogen levels and weed control methods on weed cover, weed density and weed dry matter in upland rice in 2014 and 2015.

Treatments Nitrogen level (kg ha-1) 0 60 90 LSD (5%) Weed control Orizoplus at 2 kg a.i. ha-1 Orizoplus at 2 kg a.i. ha-1 fb1 SHW2 at 6 WAS3 Buster at 1.0 kg a.i. ha-1 Buster at 1.0 kg a.i. ha-1 fb SHW 2 Hoe-weeding at 6 and 9 WAS 3 Hoe-weeding at 3, 6 and 9WAS Weedy check LSD (5%) Nitrogen level Ă— Weed control 1

Weed cover score 9 WAS 2014 2015

Weed density (no m-2) 9 WAS 2014 2015

Weed dry matter (kg ha-1) 12 WAS 2014 2014

3.3 3.3 3.5 ns

5.8 5.2 5.3 ns

20 19 20 ns

31 44 38 ns

1526 1568 1568 ns

2648 3188 3104 ns

4.0 1.2

5.9 4.2

15 6

16 7

1120 1046

2360 2280

7.0 2.3 1.3 1.1 6.7 0.6 ns

5.8 5.0 4.6 4.7 8.1 1.4 ns

21 8 10 14 62 1.7 ns

25 10 12 27 168 6.8 ns

1582 1260 1068 1082 3734 310 ns

2788 2444 2148 2508 3948 336 ns

fb = Followed by; 2 SHW = Supplementary hoe-weeding; 3 WAS = Weeks after sowing; ns = Not significant at 5%

probability level.

Adigun et al.

Page 96

Int. J. Agron. Agri. R. Effect of nitrogen level and weed control methods on

by Saeed et al. (2010). Except at 9 WAS in 2015,

growth and yield of rice in 2014 and 2015

where 90kg N ha-1 resulted in significantly taller plants,

Nitrogen levels had significant effect on crop vigour

there was no significant difference in plant height of

score and plant height at 6 and 9 WAS in both years,

rice that received either 60 or 90kg N ha-1 throughout

number of tillers and leaf area at 6 and 9 WAS in 2014

the period of observation in both years. However,

and 9 WAS in 2015, length and weight of panicle in

number of tillers was significantly increased with

2015 as well as grain yield in both years (Table 5 and

application of 90kg N ha-1 than 60 and 0kg N ha-1. This

6). In all the cases, 60 and 90kg N ha-1 produced

confirms the effectiveness of higher nitrogen level in

significantly improved crop growth than those

promoting rice growth and tillering as earlier reported

without nitrogen application. This suggests that some

by (Lampayan et al., 2010). Alagesan and Raja Babu

external fertilizer application is needed to enhance a

(2011)

more competitive crop growth and to sustain rice

significantly increased with application of 120kg N ha-1

yield. A similar suggestion has been earlier reported

compared with 80 and 40kg N ha-1.

similarly

reported

that

rice

tillers

was

Table 5. Effect of nitrogen levels and weed control methods on crop vigour, plant height and number of tiller of upland rice in 2014 and 2015 Treatments

Crop vigour score 6 WAS 9 WAS 2014 2015 2014 2015

Nitrogen level (kg ha-1) 0 60 90 LSD (5%) Weed control Orizoplus at 2 kg a.i. ha-1 Orizoplus at 2 kg a.i. ha-1 fb1 SHW2 at 6 WAS3 Buster at 1.0 kg a.i. ha-1 Buster at 1.0 kg a.i. ha-1 fb SHW 2 Hoe-weeding at 6 and 9 WAS 3 Hoe-weeding at 3, 6 and 9WAS Weedy check LSD (5%) Nitrogen level Ă— Weed control 1

Plant height (cm) 6 WAS 9 WAS 2014 2015 2014 2015

Number of tillers 6 WAS 9 WAS 2014 2015 2014 2015

4.0 9.0 8.2 0.3

5.3 6.7 6.9 0.2

6.0 8.5 7.9 0.4

6.2 6.6 6.8 0.1

44.6 53.1 53.6 1.2

42.2 47.2 45.6 0.6

83.8 93.5 94.4 2.7

48.2 55.3 54.7 0.9

13 30 33 1.1

10 10 11 0.03

33 46 51 2.8

33 35 38 ns

6.5 7.6

6.2 6.3

7.3 9.2

7.1 6.3

51.9 50.7

44.6 46.2

90.4 96.3

54.4 53.1

26 25

20 10

42 56

34 32

6.5 7.6 8.2 7.7 5.8 0.5 ns

6.7 6.7 7.0 6.8 4.1 0.4 ns

5.3 8.6 8.8 8.8 4.4 0.6 ns

6.6 7.3 6.8 6.8 4.7 0.4 ns

52.1 52.1 52.1 51.3 42.6 1.8 ns

41.8 46.0 47.0 47.4 42.6 0.9 ns

88.8 91.6 94.2 95.5 77.2 4.1 ns

50.7 53.3 55.0 54.4 48.2 1.4 ns

25 26 26 28 23 1.8 ns

10 20 20 20 10 3.5 ns

31 46 49 53 29 4.4 ns

35 38 35 35 30 ns ns

fb = Followed by; 2 SHW = Supplementary hoe-weeding; 3 WAS = Weeks after sowing; ns = Not significant at 5%

probability level.

Table 6. Effect of nitrogen levels and weed control methods on leaf area, panicle length, number of grain per panicle, 1000 grain weight, panicle weight and grain yield of upland rice in 2014 and 2015.

Treatments

Nitrogen level (kg ha-1) 0 60 90 LSD (5%) Weed control Orizoplus at 2 kg a.i. ha-1 Orizoplus at 2 kg a.i. ha-1 fb1 SHW2 at 6 WAS3 Buster at 1.0 kg a.i. ha-1 Buster at 1.0 kg a.i. ha-1 fb SHW at 6 WAS

Adigun et al.

Leaf area (cm2 plant-1)

Panicle length (cm)

No of grain/pani cle

1000 grain weight (g)

Panicle weight (kg ha-1)

Grain yield (t ha1)

6 WAS 20 201 14 5

9 WAS 201 201 4 5

201 4

201 5

201 4

201 5

201 4

201 5

201 4

201 5

201 4

201 5

76 93 94 5.7

40 44 40 1.5

97 117 120 4.6

52 53 53 ns

24 24 26 ns

18 20 20.

1.6

173 185 178 ns

116 140 120 ns

35 35 37 ns

25 23 26 ns

53 57 54 ns

23 33 46 6.3

1.2 3.2 4.8 0.1

1.6 2.2 3.1 0.1

95 99

43 42

121 128

55 51

25 25

18 19

194 205

139 158

36 36

26 26

61 62

33 36

3.6 5.0

2.3 2.4

88 92

45 40

109 119

57 53

25 30

19 20

174 190

134 124

37 37

26 26

52 57

35 35

2.8 4.0

2.4 2.4

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Int. J. Agron. Agri. R. 2 Hoe-weeding at 6 and 9 WAS 3 Hoe-weeding at 3, 6 and 9 WAS Weedy check LSD (5%) Nitrogen level Ă— Weed Control 1

98

43

123

56

25

20

188

151

35

26

58

41

3.3

2.8

94

42

120

53

24

20

189

157

3

27

55

36

4.9

2.4

49 5.7 ns

35 2.1 ns

61 7.0 ns

43 3.2 ns

18 2.9 ns

18 ns ns

11 13.5 ns

11 11.2 ns

33 ns ns

18 4.4 ns

37 5.0 ns

21 9.9 ns

0.9 0.2 ns

1.4 0.2 ns

fb = Followed by; 2 SHW = Supplementary hoe-weeding; 3 WAS = Weeks after sowing; ns = Not significant at 5%

probability level Application of 60kg N ha-1 resulted in significantly

and Buster at 1.0kg a.i. ha-1 each supplemented by

ha-1

hoe-weeding at 6 WAS caused significant increase in

at 6 WAS in 2015. There was significant increase in

plant height and number of tillers similar to two and

length and weight of panicle as well as grain yield of

three hoe-weedings but significantly higher than

rice as nitrogen level was raised from 0 to 60 and 60

those obtained when either herbicide were applied

higher leaf area of rice than application of 90kg N

to 90 N

ha-1

in both years. In 2014, application of

alone (Table 5). Furthermore, at 9 WAS in both years,

nitrogen at 90kg ha-1 resulted in 33 and 75% increase

herbicidal treatments followed by supplementary

ha-1

hoe-weeding at 6 WAS caused significant increase in

respectively. The corresponding values in 2015 were

leaf area similar to two and three hoe-weedings but

ha-1

significantly higher than either herbicides applied

in rice grain yield compared to 0 and 60kg 48 and 29% increase with application of 90kg N

compared to 0 and 60kg N ha-1 respectively, and 27% increase with application of 60kg N 0kg N

ha-1.

parameters

to

ha-1

compared to

The significant responses of the nitrogen

fertilization

alone (Table 6).

could

In 2014, pre-emergence application of Buster at 1.0kg

be

a.i. ha-1 followed by supplementary hoe-weeding at 6

attributed to the fact that among various nutrients,

WAS gave the maximum panicle length which was

nitrogen has the strongest influence on growth of Rice

significantly higher than those of other weed control

(Ahmed et al., 2005). In addition, nitrogen is an

methods. In the same year, all herbicidal treatments

important component of chlorophyll which enhances

supplemented with hoe-weeding at 6 WAS and two or

photosynthesis thus promoting vegetative growth which

three hoe-weedings gave comparable number of

leads to increased production of assimilates and

grains per panicle which was significantly higher than

consequently better yield of rice. These results are in

when the herbicides were applied alone (Table 6). In

harmony with that of Mandana et al. (2014) who

2014, pre emergence application of Orizoplus at 2.0kg

reported 39 and 33% increase in rice grain yield with 90

a.i. ha-1 applied alone or supplemented with hoe-

and 60kg N ha-1 respectively compared with no nitrogen

weeding at 6 WAS gave significantly higher panicle

application. The results from soil samples analyzed

weight compared to other weed control methods

(Table 1) showed that the soil is poor in nitrogen thus the

(Table 6). However, in 2015, all herbicidal treatments

positive responses to nitrogen observed.

and two or three hoe-weedings gave comparable panicle and 1000 grain weights in 2015 (Table 6).

All weed control methods produced significantly higher crop growth compared to the weedy check

In 2014, maximum yield (5t ha-1) was obtained with

(Table 5 and 6). At 6 and 9 WAS in 2014, pre-

pre- emergence application of Orizoplus at 2.0 kg a.i.

ha-1

ha-1 while in 2015, two hoe-weedings gave the

and Buster at 1.0kg a.i. ha-1 each supplemented by

maximum (2.8t ha-1) yield significantly higher than ot

hoe-weeding at 6 WAS resulted in significantly higher

her weed control methods (Table 6).

crop vigour score than either herbicides applied alone

In 2014, pre-emergence application of Orizoplus at

(Table 5).

2.0kg a.i. ha-1 and Buster at 1.0kg a.i. ha-1 each

emergence application of Orizoplus at 2.0kg a.i.

supplemented by hoe-weeding at 6 WAS gave Similarly, at 9 WAS in 2014 and 6 WAS in 2015, pre-

comparable rice grain yield significantly higher than

emergence application of Orizoplus at 2.0kg a.i. ha-1

those obtained with either herbicides applied alone.

Adigun et al.

Page 98

Int. J. Agron. Agri. R. Furthermore, the use of Orizoplus at 2.0kg a.i ha-1

Unchecked weed growth resulted in 82 and 50%

and Buster at 1.0kg a.i. ha-1 each supplemented by

reduction in rice grain yield compared to the

hoe-weeding at 6 WAS gave comparable grain yield

maximum obtained in 2014 and 2015, respectively.

with that of three hoe-weedings. Similarly, in 2015, all herbicidal treatments gave comparable grain yield

Conclusion

with that of three hoe-weedings. Improved growth

From this study, it can be concluded that application

and yield obtained with pre-emergence application of

of 90kg N ha-1 was found to give higher growth and

Orizoplus at 2.0kg a.i. ha-1 and Buster at 1.0kg a.i. ha-1

yield of upland rice compared to 0 and 60kg N ha-1 in

each supplemented by hoe-weeding at 6 WAS can be

sandy loam soils of Abeokuta region of South Western

attributed to the initial weed control of either herbicides

Nigeria. The results of this study also suggest that

as

the

farmers can cut down on labour input with the use of

supplementary hoe-weeding in controlling subsequent

pre-emergence herbicides for weed control in upland

weeds that emerged, thereby sustaining effectiveness in

rice production. Herbicides showing promise for

weed control till harvest. This clearly underscores the

effective weed control are Orizoplus at 2.0kg a.i. ha-1

importance

in

and Buster at 1.0kg a.i. ha-1 each followed by

enhancing better weed control compared with the use of

supplementary hoe-weeding at 6 WAS. In principle,

single weed control. Other authors (Ismaila et al., 2011;

this study suggest that increased nitrogen level and

Parthipan et al., 2003) also reported the effectiveness of

early weed control with a pre-emergence herbicide

pre-emergence

followed by supplementary weed removal at 6 WAS

well

as

the

of

relatively

integrated

herbicides

effectiveness

weed

of

management

supplemented

by

hoe-

weeding for increased growth and yield of rice.

would help to improve growth and yield of upland rice. It is therefore recommended that farmers could

In this study, higher growth and yield of rice was

apply 90kg N ha-1 in combination with Orizoplus at

obtained in 2014 than in 2015 as reflected in all the

2.0kg a.i. ha-1 or Buster at 1.0kg a.i. ha-1 followed by

growth and yield parameters (Table 5 and 6).

supplementary hoe-weeding at 6 WAS for effective

Maximum grain yield of 5.0t ha-1 was obtained in

weed control and consequently optimum growth and

2014 compared with 3.1t ha-1 in 2015. Although, there

yield of upland rice in the forest savannah transition

was higher total amount of rainfall during the period

zone and other similar agro-ecological zones.

of crop growth in 2015 (584.1 mm) than in 2014 (521.9mm), however, the improved growth and yield

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